Veterans' Day: Write About Them, Not About Me

Maj. Charles Whittlesey

For five days and nights, his command fought off repeated attacks which diminished his ranks, and having no communication with his rear became erroneous named "the Lost Battalion."

As one Yank remarked later: "We knew where we were, but so did the Germans."

With a limited supply of ammunition on hand, and food rations almost exhausted they held on.

He [Whittelsey]refused to take the credit for all the brave and heroic acts during the epic of the battle of the Meuse-Argonne. He told a reporter after the conflict: "Write about them, not me."

Picture courtesy of Doughboy Center